Category Archives: 3-D, Gifts & Things

Making a Paper Bow and a Gift Box

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Paper Bow Gift Box

Stampin' Up! announced recently that they would be putting little flyers in the order boxes, so this is the one I got in my most recent order. I think it is a great idea, a little bonus for our customers (and us!). Mine was about how to make those paper bows that we often buy in gigantic bags.  I've seen directions around the internet on how to make them, but until I got these directions from Stampin' Up! I didn't really stop and make one myself.

Amazing that you can make a pretty bow just out of several strips of paper and glue! My first one is a tiny bit wonky but it's not very noticeable…probably just to me.

I also took one of the Kraft Gift Boxes #124106 and decorated it with the brightly colored International Bazaar Designer Series Paper #126920. I measured the sides of the box and cut my pieces of paper just 1/8" smaller on two sides, allowing for a narrow margin of the Kraft Box to show.  Since all the paper coordinates, I could choose anything I wanted to.  The box was the perfect size for a bracelet I was giving my friend. It's good to keep some of these Kraft Gift Boxes on hand for all those gift-giving occasions!  Be sure to add them to your next Stampin' Up! order!

You can get anything you need at my Online Store here….and maybe you will get a bonus flyer in your package from Stampin' Up!

Paper Bow Strips

Kraft Gift Box and Paper Bow

Make Your Own Christmas Gift Cards

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Snow Festival Designer Series Paper Squares

Did you know that the Snow Festival Designer Series Paper #126908 in the Holiday Catalog has a sheet that looks like this in the package? I think the first thing everyone thought when they saw it was "gift tags"!  Just cut the whole page apart into the individual 3"x3" squares and mount on 3"x3" Whisper White cards (3" x 6" folded in half).

Snow Festival Christmas Gift Tags

Now these are just basic…and just fine!  If you want, you can punch a hole and tie on ribbon. You could stamp some greetings and adhere to the front if there isn't already a greeting.  You could probably jazz these up even more….maybe add some glitter! Make a bunch and put them in a cute gift box for a present to someone.  Who doesn't need more gift tags?!

To get your paper, card stock, adhesives and ribbon, just shop online at my Stampin' Up! store here!

Stampin’ Up! Christmas Keepsake Box Kit

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Christmas Keepsake Box

Stampin' Up! came out with this Christmas Keepsake Box a long time ago…maybe over a year ago. First it was an incentive gift, but then they began selling the extras. Now you can find them on the Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack. These boxes are SO beautiful when you make them I can't believe they have any left.

I've had mine for awhile…sitting out so I wouldn't forget it…the retired stamp set not put away…ready to go any minute….well, that minute finally came the other day! It didn't take too long to put together and isn't hard for as elaborate as it looks.  I watched the video that Shelli Gardner and her daughter Sara made while assembling this Christmas Keepsake Box, which is entertaining enough in itself! And then I started working on my box, looking back at the video if I wanted. You can follow their directions exactly, but it doesn't matter if you do it differently or mess up on something. It will all look beautiful in the end! I actually have my bow and flowers on the opposite end of the box than what the directions say….I guess I put the centerpiece on upside down!  But it doesn't matter!  The only thing mine is missing is to apply some spray adhesive and sprinkle on some glitter. I'm sure it will really add the finishing touch!

If you would like to add a bargain to your Stampin' Up! order, just head to the Clearance Rack and add Item #129024. I can only assume a product is still available in the Clearance Rack as I write this; everything in the Clearance Rack is while supplies last and could disappear at any time.  But what a great gift box to make as a gift itself for the holidays!  Put a few handmade cards or a special gift inside and the recipient will be wowed!

Just go to my Online Store to place your order for any supplies you need for your Christmas and holiday giving!

Ornamental Elegance Kit…Order Yours While Supplies Last!

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Ornamental_Elegance_Banner(1)

If you have admired the beautiful paper ornament on the cover of the Holiday Catalog, here is your chance to get a kit to make TEN of them! What great gifts for people and it saves you the work of stamping and cutting out all the ornament shapes! I made one from scratch and it certainly wasn't hard but it took some time to use the framelits on each shape. If you don't need all ten ornaments, then you can use the shapes as tags for your packaging.

The Ornamental Elegance Kit (132832) is $14.95 and includes:

  • Die-Cut Cardstock Elements
  • Cherry Cobbler 3-1/2" Scalloped Tulle Ribbon
  • Natural Linen Thread
  • Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons 
  • Large Pearl Basic Jewels

Stampin' Up! has added a new category in my Online Store called "New Arrivals" so that is where you will find the latest things!

 

Holiday Packaging Bundles Video from Stampin’ Up!

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Here's a cute video for you from Stampin' Up!  Just the other day they put out these special bundles of bags and tags and ties for you to help with your holiday wrapping at at a 20% savings. There are two bundles to choose from!
SU Petite Treats Bundle
Petite Treats Bundle  #132770   Price:  $13.50   Value:  $16.85
SU Trimmings and Tags Bundle
Trimmings and Tags Bundle  #132769    Price:  $13.50   Value:  $16.85
If you would like to place an order for these items or any other products, please do so at my Online Store HERE.  And you're always welcome to have me put your order in for you if you prefer.

Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps…Easy Cookie Baking!

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Sweet Pressed Cookies

It may be Black Friday, but if you are not into that shopping craziness it would be a good day to stay home and read over the Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza shopping list! There are so many great bargains on there, discounts from 20% – 50% off regular price! You'll notice that one set…Special Events…. of the Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps is on the list at 30% off!

It's been over a year now that Stampin' Up! came out with these Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps! I'm not an experienced dough baker…..I can mix up some cookie dough and then drop globs on a cookie sheet and bake, but I've never been good with cookie cutters and rolling pins and all that. But the Stampin' Up! Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps are easy to use! I had a friend coming from out of town and of course I was making these at the last minute in between trying to finish cleaning the house….so I was under a lot of pressure!  Normally that would guarantee the 'fancy" cookies not turning out at all. But, honestly, I whipped these out with no trouble and they tasted great!  I'm not saying I took time to make them look REALLY nice (like trimming the edges if I didn't get the stamp centered properly), but they turned out! That's all I cared about….having some home-baked cookies that tasted good!

Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamp one

These still basically met my "drop cookie" method of baking….just take a glob of dough, roll it in a ball, put it on the cookie sheet and stamp! The main tip is to ALWAYS dip the stamp into a bowl of sugar (or maybe flour) EACH TIME before you stamp and you won't have much trouble with dough sticking to the stamp.

I didn't take much time for decorating either which would have been nice!  I might even have some special cookie glitter (not to be confused with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter!!), but there was no time for that.  I just sprinkled on some cinnamon sugar and some sprinkles and called it good!

Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamp with Sugar

              Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamp with Sprinkles

The recipe comes in the box with the stamps, and the cookies are delicious.  My friend even commented that they lasted well over a couple of days (since we really didn't eat them all the first night!)

Before you start your holiday cookie baking, consider these Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps from Stampin' Up! While all the designs are fun, it is the Special Events set that is on sale right now during the Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza 30% off! Add them to your Online Order HERE.

Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps

Holidays Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps #125152

Special Events Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps

Special Events #126903

Occasions Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps

Occasions #127081

A Paper & Ribbon Thanksgiving Turkey Ornament

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Paper & Ribbon Thanksgiving Turkey Ornament
Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving Day and weekend! I appreciate all of my Stampin' Up! customers, subscribers, blog readers, and fellow stamping friends! This papercrafting hobby is so enjoyable because of all of you!

Here's a fun little turkey to make easily.  I was going to put him on a card but once I got the ribbon tail feathers on I thought he was cuter as a little Thanksgiving ornament….or you could use him for a tag. Hang him around the neck of a bottle of wine or tie onto a packaged up pie or whatever food you are taking today! (as in my post yesterday!) Stick him onto a piece of candy, like a Hershey's Nugget or Kiss for a table favor!

Use the Owl Punch for the body and trim off his ears. Punch out the white eyes and just color in the dots with black marker.  Cut the little beak out of a scrap. Punch the little gobble-thing with the Modern Label Punch and trim it to a point at the top.  You just need the little end of the punch….or punch the little heart in the Owl Punch and adhere off to the side a little. Cut some scraps of ribbon, fold over and adhere to the back with SNAIL and/or Glue Dots. That's it! I guess you could punch another owl to glue on the back to hide the adhered ribbon and write a message.

When dinner is over and you start thinking about shopping, don't forget the Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza.  You can get these ribbon colors in a Bundle!

Hope you are having….will have…or have had…a wonderful Thanksgiving! I can't wait to eat my Cajun fried turkey!!

A Turkey Tag — It’s All in the Presentation (Almost!)!

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Turkey Tag Pecan Pie Presentation

They say "It's all in the presentation" or "Presentation is everything!" but I do have to say "almost" because the pie inside this presentation is beautiful! Notice all the individual leaves on the crust around the edge (and the crust is my favorite part of any pie!). 

This year we are doing Thanksgiving a little differently. My friend Dixie and her friend Sherrie have a cooking/catering company so I ordered a Cajun fried turkey from them as well as some chicken and sausage gumbo, a pecan pie and some chocolate Whoopie Pies! No cooking a turkey for me!!!  Oh my gosh, when I saw how they had decorated the pecan pie package and whoopie pies with this cute turkey tag and ribbon I just went crazy!  See how such a simple thing can make such a great impression?!!  Paper, ink, and stamps!  Aren't we part of such an impressive craft?!

Turkey Tag Whoopie Pies Presentation

And a peek inside the foil covering the cajun fried turkey! I don't know how I restrained myself from taking just a little taste from this turkey!

Peek at Turkey

Are you hungry now? If you live in the southwest Houston/Richmond area, email me and I'll give you Dixie's contact information.

If you're taking a pie or some plate of food to someone's house for Thanksgiving, consider taking a few minutes to make some kind of cute little tag or card just for a little something special! I know it will be appreciated!  And make the food look even more inviting!

Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza going on now until November 28th! Select products discounted 20% – 50%!  More Doorbusters the last day! Check the list right now!

Decorate Your Thanksgiving Table with My Digital Studio!

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Unknown Blessings

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 2012

Special holidays call for special table settings and decorating your Thanksgiving table is probably one of the biggest ones!  Sara Brook, of the Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio Team, put together this lovely place setting made with the Unknown Blessings Ensemble. It comes with everything you need to make these table decorations and really sounds easy!  Just use the digital feathers, filling in with whatever color paper you want, print, cut out and snip to look like feathers.  We all made Indian headbands in school I'm sure…just print out the headband, size correctly and add some feathers. The napkin rings are made the same way, just smaller! There's even a pie box to print and make, frameable art, menu cards, place cards….and whatever else you can think up using this digital set!

Unknown Blessings Ensemble My Digital Studio

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 2012

Read more of Sara's post on the Stampin' Up! website for My Digital Studio HERE. She also has more photos how you can use all the elements of the Unknown Blessings Ensemble.

Even if you don't own My Digital Studio (you don't??!) I'm sure you can get some Thanksgiving table decorating ideas from this photo above!

Interested in My Digital Studio?  Well, there is the free 30-Day Trial….AND coming up, starting Monday, Nov. 19th during the Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza, My Digital Studio is one of the discounted items!!!!!!

Check the Online Extravaganza list HERE….and find the My Digital Studio discounts at the very bottom of the last page!!  That's the 50% off list!!  You will be able to purchase the full MDS 2+ download, the MDS 2 version (less content), or the MDS 2 upgrade all for 50% off the regular price! I would absolutely recommend the MDS 2+ version even at full price but ESPECIALLY for half-price!  You will be amazed at all the downloads that are included in that version.  Treat yourself to an early Christmas gift!

Find all the My Digital Studio options HERE in my Online Store.

Heart of Christmas Gift Box

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Image copyright Stampin' Up! 2012

I have loved this single stamp, Heart of Christmas, in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog since I first saw it! I love the sentiment! This is a project from Stampin' Up! They made a box with Crumb Cake card stock, decorated with some Snow Festival Designer Series Paper and 1/8" Old Olive Taffeta Ribbon. To display the Heart of Christmas sentiment, they made it very decoratived with the Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies. Notice the cute little heart punched out of the bottom of the label and backed with Glimmer Paper!  What a great project!  You could also use the Kraft Gift Boxes as well for something similar. Wouldn't this be a cute gift box under the Christmas tree?!

To shop for any stamping supplies for so many projects, just shop online at my Stampin' Up! Store here.

Here is the supply list Stampin' Up! provided:

Stamps
• Heart of Christmas*

Paper
• Crumb Cake Cardstock
• Very Vanilla Cardstock
• Snow Festival Designer Series Paper
• Champagne Glimmer Paper*

Ink
• Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Write® Marker
• Old Olive Stampin’ Write Marker

Stampin’ Up! Accessories
• Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon
• Stampin’ Dimensionals®
• Owl Punch
• 1/16" Circle Punch
• Big Shot™
• Fancy Favor Bigz™ XL Die
• Apothecary Accents Framelits™ Dies

Day of Gratitude Thanksgiving Turkey Favor

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Day of Gratitude Thanksgiving Favor Turkeys

The Day of Gratitude stamp set by Stampin' Up! can also make a great turkey favor for Thanksgiving! If you need a little something for your Thanksgiving table, class favors for the kids, or just some fun little decorations for Thanksgiving these will fill the bill. Of course there are many variations you could do after you get started.  I often think I am going to copy something exactly and end up with my own version.

Instead of the "Happy Thanksgiving" from the must-have stamp set Teeny Tiny Wishes (and I do recommend for these small stamps that you spend the extra money and get the wood-mount) you could write a person's name for a place card at the table. The body is punched with the 1 3/4" circle and the head with the 1/4" circle punch. You could stamp a little texture on the circles or run one or both through the Big Shot with an embossing folder like I did on the body.  I used the Lacy Brocade folder in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog. The gobble-thing is half of the Modern Label Punch. The beak is just cut by hand. The thing on top of the head is from the Boho Blossom Punch. The tail feathers are the medallion in the Day of Gratitude stamp set. I tried to get them each multi-colored but I don't think the colors contrasted enough. You could also color each section with a different color of Stampin' Write Markers. The feathers are adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals on the back of the turkey.

I would probably use some candy like Hershey Nuggets for the back, but I don't have any (amazingly!) so I used some Hershey Kisses.  It worked just as well.  If I used a Nugget, I would cover it with a strip of designer paper first.

Day of Gratitude Thanksgiving Favor Turkeys Back

For the eyes, you can just punch out black and white circles, or since I had some Googly Eyes left over from Halloween, I used those.  You probably have some in your craft stash, too!

Just a fun little Thanksgiving treat!  Hope you enjoy!

Trick-or-Treat! Have Fun with Halloween Candy Bars!

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Candy Bars for Halloween

Halloween Candy Bars….Before!

 Trick-or-Treat! It’s almost time to hand out Halloween treats, so why not make your Halloween candy bars something special? There are SO many fun Halloween ideas out there, but this is something easy to do for the kids’ Halloween treats.

Trick-or-Treat Halloween Candy Bars
Trick-or-Treat Halloween Candy Bars…After!!

Just take your candy bars and wrap some paper around them! Designer series paper makes it easy, but you could also use card stock. Then stamp a Halloween image and punch out with a circle punch or scallop punch and glue on. If you are looking for an easy Halloween craft to do with your kids, this might be an idea. This is especially good for those special trick-or-treaters, maybe class treats at Halloween parties at school, or your own Halloween parties.

I used my Googly Ghouls stamp set for the images and the Houndstooth & Scaringbone Designer Series Paper, both in the Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog. I colored in a bit with Stampin’ Write Markers. It’s just something fun to do, and why not have some fun at Halloween?!

 

Have questions?  Just email me at Karen@KarenStamps.com

You can place your order online here or email me. 

Candlelight Christmas Flocked Clear Strip Christmas Ornament

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Candlelight Christmas Strip Ornament

I had to play again with the design of the ornaments on the cover of our Stampin' Up! Demonstrator magazine called Stampin' Success. You can make these Christmas ornaments with just strips of paper! This time I decided I wanted a fancier one…I only intended to add some ribbon and maybe some rhinestones.  But once I pulled out the Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper, I noticed the beautiful flocked clear window sheet "paper"! I thought that would make something pretty! So here it is!

Once I made the ornament, I attached a bow at the top with some mini glue dots and added just a few Rhinestone Jewels here and there.

Candlelight Christmas Paper Strip Ornament

My strips this time were 4 3/4" for the center one, two strips 6" each and 2 strips 7 1/4".  I think you just need to play with the lengths of the strips to get the size of ornament that you want. These strips are only 1/2" wide. You can read my directions for how I put the ornament together on my post the other day here. I think you can see in this photo above that I put rhinestones near the top, middle and bottom of the outside strips and one on each side of the center strip. I used Baker's Twine for the hanging thread.  Just feed it in through the center of the ornament and pull tightly for it to come up to the top in between the strips.

I might not be done yet!  I think the next one I will try will have another set or two of strips!

If you want a pack of the Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper, you know where to go!  While you are there, check out the Merry Christmas special which includes the Candlelight Christmas paper, and also the Clearance Rack! New items were just added on Friday!  Although some products sold out the first day, there still are great bargains to be had, so don't miss out!

Candlelight Christmas Paper Strip Christmas Ornament

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Paper Strip Christmas Ornament
I'm playing with some more paper strips to make a Christmas ornament again, this time using the Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper. I cut twelve strips, each 1/2" wide and 6" long. I punched a  circle with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch on which to glue the strips.
Paper Strip Christmas Ornament inside
Yes, I have hot glue all over the place!  Thank goodness for the Silicone Craft Sheet! There should be twelve strips glued in there but one got lost….when I found it I was able to stick it in the slightly empty space with some Tombow Multi Glue. I used more hot glue to add scallops and circle punches to decorate the outside.
Paper Strip Christmas Ornament Back
The little reindeer and the greeting are from the Joyous Celebrations stamp set. I love the Champagne Glimmer Paper scallop behind the reindeer on the front of the ornament.
Time is getting closer and closer to start thinking about making some things for Christmas! If you need any supplies for crafting, you will find what you need at my Stampin' Up! Online Store!  Be sure to check the Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack for some great bargains!  New items just added yesterday!

Make Your Own Halloween Ornament with Paper Strips

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Paper Strip Halloween Ornament

As Stampin' Up! Demonstrators, we receive a magazine that we all love filled with creative ideas, business tips, and the latest Stampin' Up! news.  On the cover of the latest issue are pictures of ornaments like these, except for winter or Christmas. I decided to try making a paper ornament for Halloween with the Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Series Paper. These would be so fun to make for Halloween decorations for a party!

Stampin' Up! didn't provide any specific instructions that I found, but I found some examples online! This particular one is made with five strips of paper.  Basically you need two "long" strips, two "shorter" strips, and one "even shorter"!

This is what I used:

Strips are cut 1" wide.

2 strips 10" long, 2 strips 8" long, and 1 strip 6 3/4" long.

Arrange the strips in a "sandwich", paying attention to how you want the sides of your paper to show:  shortest strip in the middle, next longest on each side of the shortest strip, and the longest strips on the outside. So for my ornament, I have the strips stacked 10" – 8" – 6 3/4" – 8" – 10" and make them all flush at one end (they'll be uneven at the opposite end of the pile). Using my paper-piercing tool I poked a hole and inserted a brad. Then I lined up the bottom of the strips, which shapes the ornament and inserted a brad to hold it.  That's it!  Tie a string or ribbon through the top and you've got it!  Experiment with sizes and you can have ornaments of all sizes! I think I would make the next one a little narrower and shorter strips.

Try one with your paper scraps!  Bet you can't make just one!!

When you want to order MORE paper, just go to my Stampin' Up! Online Store….but be sure to check the Clearance Rack because Stampin' Up! added over 70 new products today…some might be gone, so check as soon as you can!  Clearance Rack orders must be made online only because of the availability of the items.